THE OHIO VALLEY-GREAT LAKES ETHNOHISTORY
ARCHIVES: THE MIAMI COLLECTION
It is noted that the following work from the Miami Archives should be read and
considered within the historical context in which it was composed and printed.
The opinions expressed and the language used do not reflect the opinions or
standards of the Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology, but are, rather,
indicative of thought in that historical moment during which the document was
published.
Rouille to La Jonquiere
(May 4, 1749)
Rouille, Antoine-Louis, Comte de Jouy
in:
Archives Nationales, Ministere des
Colonies, B89:66 and in Illinois
Historical Collections, French
Series, vol. III, pp. 84-90.
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To M. le Marquis de la Jonquiere
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Marly, May 4, 1749 |
Monsieur:
I reply to the letters of M. le Comte de la Galissoniere of September 24, October 23 and November 8 last concerning the Indians.
By the first of these letters he has given an account of the affairs of the Shawnee, and he observes that the lack of merchandise and the antipathy of most of the other tribes for them have determined them to divide into two bands, one of which has (page 85) established itself at Sonnioto, where it forms a sort of republic with a considerable number of bad characters of different tribes who have withdrawn thither, while the other band has decided to go off in the direction of the Cherokee.
By the letters of M. de Vaudreuil, governor of Louisiana, we learn that this last band, after having partly ascended the Tennessee River, had decided to go and join the Alibamu, where according to appearances it was behaving properly. And as that governor adds that the quarrel that the band had with the Illinois had been ended, there is reason to think that we have nothing to fear from it.
It is not altogether the same with the band which has gone off to Sonnioto. Actually there is reason to fear that the bad example of the Indians associated with it, of whom the governor of New York made use during the war to stir up the tribes and to make raids upon the French, may draw that band into some evil courses. It would for that reason be much to be desired if it could be reuinted to the rest of the tribe either in Canada or (page 86) Louisiana. That is a negotiation upon which it is fitting that you should concert measures with M. de Vaudreuil. That nation on account of its valor and its docility would be one of the most useful, but in order to bring it back it is necessary to place it in a position in which it can procure what it needs and to protect it against other tribes that might wish to molest it. That arrangement demands especial pains on your part.
As to the kind of republic which has been found at Sonnioto, if you succeed in inducing the Shawnee to leave it, it will be so far weakened that we shall have nothing more to fear from it. In any case the king has very much approved the course which M. le Comte de la Galissoniere has taken of writing to the governor of New York that if he continues to make use of the Indians of that settlement to make raids on the French, he, La Galissoniere, would retaliate on the side of that colony. There is reason to suppose that this will check him.
"By the letter of October 23 M. de la Galissoniere has given an account of what has happened with respect to most of the (page 87) tribes of the upcountry who at the instigation of the English were induced to assassinate several Frenchmen; he has rendered an account also of the course which he took of sending to Detroit and Mackinac large detachments with the convoys prepared for the various posts. His Majesty has been very glad to hear of the good effect which the presence of these detachments has produced. Otherwise he has been very well satisfied with the good conduct of the Sieur de St. Pierre, captain commanding at Mackninac, who by his firmness has succeeded in forcing the tribes of his command to give up the murderers of the French and in inducing all these tribes to ask for pardon. The Sieur Chevalier de Longueuil appears to have conducted himself equally well at Detroit. But it is annoying that these murderers should have succeeded in escaping. Their punishment would have proved a fit example to check all the Indians; and you will doubtless feel from the information which you should acquire of what has happened, how necessary it is to inflict chastisement in order to be sure of those whose dispositions are bad or dubious. In general (page 88) you will find the officers disposed to end disputes with the Indians by means of conciliation; but it is certain, and experience in all time justifies it, that you cannot check them save by well placed examples of severity; and you should neglect no occasions for procuring them.
Finally by the letter of September 8 M. de la Galissoniere informs us of the arrival of the Iroquois nations at Quebec with the exception of the Mohawks, who in the first years of the war had taken the side of the English. His Majesty cannot but approve the conduct of M. de la Galissoniere with these Indians. You will learn that in conferences with them the question arose of the claims of the English over both them and their lands. The English regard these lands as a part of their possessions and the Iroquois as subjects of Great Britain. These Indians claim to be and in effect are independent of all nations, and their lands incontestably belong to them. At all times they have rebelled against the claims of the English; M. le Comte de la Galissoniere appears to have induced them to maintain their rights; and there (page 89) is reason to think that they will conduct themselves with the more warmth since we were already informed that they had a little before treated the English of Albany and Schenectady with the utmost contempt. As these Indians were still at Quebec at the departure of the last ships, you will be informed of the sequel of what occurred with them. There is some likelihood that you will see them yourself this year. You are already informed of their views which tend toward maintaining a neutrality which for a long time has been the basis of their policy, But if on the occasion of what may have passed between them and the English on their lands, they could be induced to destroy the post of Oswego, which is on their lands, that would be obtaining from them a service most useful in all respects.
With respect to the Mohawks, since an attack which the Sieur Chevalier de la Corne1 made on them in 1747, they have (page 90) not attempted any more raids against the French. Their brothers have demanded pardon for them; and there is some likelihood that M. de la Galissoniere will have accorded it to them. In any case it will be for you to conduct yourself both with respect to these Indians and to all others according to circumstances. His Majesty can only refer that essential part of your administration to your prudence. But he desires that you avoid as much as possible all altercations which may have sequels and occasion expenses, a very important object in matters of this sort.
I am perfectly, Monsieur--
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1 Pierre, Chevalier de la Corne. Like De la Colombiere and Dubreuil, the son of Jean-Louis de la Corne, Sieur de Chapt, major of Three Rivers. A Pierre, however, does not appear in Tanguay's list [Dictionnaire, 3:285-286] of the children, unless he is to be identified with the one listed as Louis-Luc, who like the Chevalier was drowned in 1761. In 1728 an acknowledgment of debt to Louis, Chevalier de la Corne, by voyageurs for a trip to the Illinois was accepted in the name of the wife, Marianne Hubert whom Tanguay lists as the wife of Louis-Luc. L'Archiviste . . . de Quebec pour 1929-1930, 269. November 2, 1748 the Chevalier signed as Pierre de Chapt, escuyer, Chevalier de la Corne, captain. Bulletin des Recherches Historiques, 22:349. He commanded in a brilliant success in Acadia in February of 1747 and in June of the same year repulsed the Mohawks from the Island of Montreal. N.Y.C.D., 10:81-83, 91-92. He received the Cross of St. Louis, May 23, 1749. Canadian Archives, 1905, volume 1, part 6. p. 119. From 1753 to 1755 he commanded the posts of the Sea of the West. Royal Society of Canada, Transactions, 1906, section 1, pp. 78-90; A N Colonies C11A 119:320 v. During these years Louis, Chevalier de la Corne, hired a number of engages for Grand Portage and the Post of the West. L'Archiviste . . . de Quebec pour 1931-1932, 243-288, passim. The Chevalier de la Corne served in the campaign on the New York frontier and was drowned in the Auguste. L'Archiviste . . . de Quebec pour 1928-1929, 9 et seq.; Bulletin des Recherches Historiques, 7:207.
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